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Ange Postecoglou believes Timo Werner should feel a little less anxious after ending his near eight-month goal drought.

The striker had not scored in 18 appearances, stretching back to March 10, before Tottenham's EFL Cup last-16 clash with Manchester City.

However, he was on target in a 2-1 victory that saw Spurs book a quarter-final clash with Manchester United.

League Cup

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The goal will come as a big relief to the German international, and Postecoglou hopes it lifts some of the pressure off his shoulders.

"It was a great goal and it's great for Timo," he told Sky Sports. "He's obviously been going through a tough time. For him to score was fantastic.

"The build-up play was great and it was kind of the team that we want to be. We couldn't do it all night, tonight, because the opponent doesn't always allow you.

"It should lift him. We're kind of supporting him, but ultimately, with all these things, it's down to him and his approach to things.

"With attacking players, obviously if they don't score, they feel that anxiety a little bit. Hopefully tonight's goal helps him with that."

Spurs were looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League at the weekend.

They named a strong starting XI for the game, and were rewarded by going ahead through Werner's fifth minute strike.

Pape Matar Sarr then doubled the advantage midway through the first half, and although Matheus Nunes pulled one back seconds before the break, City could not find a second.

Postecoglou, who admits the victory could have been more comfortable for his side, was delighted with their performance.

"It's a cup tie, you're playing against a pretty formidable opponent and you have to do a bit of everything," he continued. "I thought we did that really well for the most part.

"We had to defend, which I think we did well. We didn't give them too many clear-cut chances.

"We certainly had a few ourselves, we could have put the game away, but City are always going to push you and push you.

"The most important thing for us was, in an important cup tie, we got a victory."

The Spurs boss would not be drawn on whether the result was a turning point for his side though.

It has been a sticky start to the season for the North London club, who have lost four of their last seven Premier League outings.

"I don't believe in big moments," Postecoglou said. "I don't believe in catastrophic moments. We're the same team that we were three days ago.

"We're a side that's growing, developing and hopefully we've got more good days ahead of us.

"It's an ever-evolving sort of process. This team, I believe, is growing all the time. When you have growth, sometimes you're going to stumble, and we've had our stumbles, it's fair to say.

"We've always bounced back and as disappointed as we were on Sunday, I had great belief and confidence that we'd come out today and put up a good show against a pretty strong opponent."

Frustrated Pep praises 'exceptional' City

Defeat for Manchester City, meanwhile, was their first of the season and manager Pep Guardiola was reluctant to criticise his side.

The Spaniard has made a habit of winning the EFL Cup since taking charge at the Etihad Stadium.

But he named a much-changed starting XI, leaving the likes of Erling Haaland on the bench.

"Exceptional performance," he said. "In terms of injuries and other issues, we were exceptional.

"The young players played really, really good, the seniors as well against an incredible, top side. The transitions, they are so fast, really, really good, so I am really pleased for the way we played."

Even when chasing the tie, Guardiola refused to bring Haaland off the bench.

To make matters worse, he saw Savinho stretched off during the match, while Manuel Akanji, originally named in the starting XI, pulled up injured during the warm-up.

"It is what it is," the frustrated manager added. "It's normal. So many years playing for eleven months, the limit of the players is there. I understand it.

"We have no recovery, not much players and I didn't want to waste energy for him."

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TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024-25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

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Tottenham will host Manchester United in a blockbuster EFL Cup quarter-final after beating Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Two of the favourites for the competition will meet in North London, while Arsenal will play Crystal Palace for a place in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have been drawn against Brentford, and EFL Cup holders Liverpool travel to Southampton.

League Cup

'It's down to him' - Postecoglou hopes first goal since March will 'lift' Werner

Quarter-final draw

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United

Arsenal v Crystal Palace

Newcastle United v Brentford

Southampton v Liverpool

Magpies power past Chelsea

Alexander Isak's second goal in as many games helped Newcastle into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 victory over Chelsea.

The Magpies, who were runners-up in the competition in 2022/23, are searching for their first major trophy since 1955.

Chelsea were the architects of their own downfall for the opening goal, as they tried to pass the ball out from the back, only for Sandro Tonali to nip in and win possession.

He duly fed Isak, who tucked into the bottom corner, and Newcastle doubled their lead five minutes later when Axel Disasi got his feet all in a tangle and scrambled into his own goal.

Enzo Maresca brought on Noni Madueke in the second half in an attempt to salvage a result.

But the Blues were unable to find a way back into the game, as Renato Veiga, Marc Cucurella and Joao Felix all wasted shooting opportunities.

The result lifts some of the pressure on manager Eddie Howe, whose side had won only one of their previous six fixtures.

Kamada delivers much-needed win for Glasner

Joining Newcastle in the last-eight will be Crystal Palace, who have made the quarter-finals for the first time since 2011/12.

The Eagles, who ended a sequence of three successive defeats by beating Tottenham in the Premier League at the weekend, took an early lead through Eberechi Eze's strike.

That was quickly cancelled out by Jhon Duran for the hosts, who, given their European exploits, rested several first-choice players.

Palace made them pay, as they went 2-1 up through Daichi Kamada's daisy-cutter from distance after the Villa defence cheaply gave away possession.

Unai Emery's side threw men forward in an attempt to equalise, but could find no way past a stubborn defence.

The result will come as a big relief to manager Oliver Glasner, as his side registered back-to-back victories for the first time in May.

They will now face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United also through

Elsewhere, defending champions Liverpool eased into the quarter-finals with an impressive win at Brighton.

Arne Slot named a much-changed side for the trip to the Amex Stadium, but a brace from Cody Gakpo helped earn a 3-2 success that was much more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

The two teams meet again in the Premier League on Saturday.

There was also a thumping victory for Ruud van Nistelrooy in his first game as Manchester United boss.

Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes both bagged braces in a 5-2 triumph against Leicester.

The only Championship side in action on the night, Preston, were soundly beaten by Arsenal, with Gabriel Jesus on target in a 3-0 success.

And in the late kick-off, Tottenham did enough to beat a much-changed Manchester City side, winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Timo Werner and Pape Matar Sarr.

Those results mean the quarter-final draw is made up entirely of Premier League teams for the first time in 14 years.

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League Cup

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Tottenham Hotspur are through to the last eight of the EFL Cup, as goals from Timo Werner and Pape Matar Sarr earned them a narrow win over a partially youthful Manchester City on a night when both teams picked up injuries.

The two sides were rotated, City more so, with Pep Guardiola turning to his talented youngsters. And the experience difference told as Spurs created far more chances.

The excellent Werner opener the scoring on the counter-attack, before Sarr curled in a sublime second to give a rampant Tottenham a deserved 2-0 lead after just 26 minutes.

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But City gradually got a hold on the game and pulled one back on the stroke of half-time through Matheus Nunes.

City had more of the ball in the second half and built pressure as Spurs dropped deeper, but it was still the home side who had the better of the chances, twice missing one-on-ones.

A superb goal-line clearance from Yves Bissouma kept his side ahead in the last significant moment of the match, and the Spurs squad were all smiles as they marched into the quarters.

Tottenham will hope that Micky van de Ven’s hamstring injury is not too serious, while Manchester City will await an update on Savinho, who was taken off on a stretcher in the second half.

Talking Point – A fascinating match

There were so many interesting threads to this game, with City blooding a bunch of impressive-looking youngsters. Yet they still fielded a relatively strong defence that struggled to contain Spurs on the break.

Werner’s excellence on the left side earned him a standing ovation when he hobbled off, but much of the interest from a Tottenham perspective came from tactical tweaks – the hosts started with three centre-backs and something resembling a double pivot in midfield.

Quietly, Ange Postecoglou continues to make subtle changes to his team’s set-up. Will it help steer them to silverware?

Player Of The Match – Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham)

Tottenham’s No. 10 was central to everything they did all evening. He provided two assists and could well have had a goal of his own, only to be denied by Stefan Ortega.

But his performance was far more than just that – he ran things for Spurs on the break, popping up all over the pitch and playing the full 90 minutes, working his socks off until the final seconds.

Player Ratings

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario 6; Gray 6, Romero 7, Dragusin 7, Van de Ven 6; Sarr 8, Bentancur 7, Kulusevski 9; Johnson 6, Werner 8, Solanke 7. Subs: Udogie 7, Bissouma 7, Davies 6, Moore 6, Richarlison 6.

Manchester City: Ortega 7; Lewis 7, Stones 6, Dias 6, Ake 6; Gundogan 4, McAtee 6, O'Reilly 6; Savinho 7, Nunes 7, Foden 6. Subs: Kovacic 7, Gvardiol 7, Silva 6, Wright 6, Simpson-Pusey 6.

Match Highlights

Key Stats

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Tottenham withdraw Romero for Davies. Has he got a knock, or is it just a precaution with Van der Ven already off with an injury?

Solanke finds Werner just inside his own half and he bursts clear towards the edge of the box with three players hunting him down. He pulls onto his left foot and looks to angle a shot into the far corner, but skims the outside of the post with his effort. He gets a round of applause for his efforts.

It’s an early chance in the half for Spurs as Werner breaks down the left and crosses towards Kulusevski. It doesn’t reach its target but breaks to Johnson, who stings the palms of Ortega.

Sarr played superbly in the first half, but was on a booking and has a playing style that would have made him vulnerable to picking up a second. Bissouma replaces him.

That goal just before the break means we have a proper game on here. Nunes got the goal, and he has been a big player for City of late.

The whistle goes to end a fascinating first half. Tottenham lead 2-1, but will be the more disappointed side heading down the tunnel after that goal right on the stroke of the interval.

Right at the end of stoppage time at the end of the first half, City pull one back. Savinho steps onto his right and dinks a deep cross to the far side of the box, where Nunes is completely unmarked and scores with a first-time effort.

City pick up a free-kick in a dangerous area and Foden takes it, bending his effort over the bar. He raises his head to the heavens in frustration, but the pressure is beginning to build on Spurs, with City controlling the game right now… without any reward (yet).

Foden volleys over on the turn as City again look to open Spurs up down the same side. City remain without a goal and have not had an effort on target, but they’ve been controlling the game much more in the last ten minutes and are starting to find little pockets of space in the final third.

City’s lively wide man steps on to his left foot and whips in a cross that has Vicario concerned. It drifts wide of the far post.

City continue to look to isolate Gray one-on-one down the right side and it works on this occasion as he’s beaten on the outside and Foden is inches away from getting a toe to the cross. That’s as good a chance as the visitors have had today.

Spurs are in control on the scoreboard, but will need to keep their composure. Kulusevski catches Foden late and is perhaps lucky to escape a booking, while Sarr is putting himself about and walking a bit of a tightrope on his yellow.

Spurs counter, and think Kulusevski is away. But Ortega is miles outside his box and acts as a sweeper to clean up for City.

Tottenham are pressing high, but they’re not controlling the ball anything like they usually do. It’s not making them any less effective though – in fact they look really dangerous whenever countering, with Kulusevski pulling the strings.

A misplaced pass runs out of play and the Spurs fans cheer, while City’s players and coaching staff shake their heads. This is not going to plan at all for the visitors, they have been distinctly second best so far... but there will always be chances when playing Tottenham.

Spurs opt to take the corner short and Kulusevski then squares a pass to Sarr in midfield. He’s a long way out, but bends a beauty of a shot around the crowd of players in the box, catching out an unsighted Ortega as his curling effort nestles in the bottom corner. 2-0!

City are robbed of possession in their own half and Werner, popping up on the right this time, wins a corner.

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his third goal of the season as Crystal Palace secured their first victory of the season with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park. The win moves Oliver Glasner’s side out of the bottom three and above Ipswich. Spurs on the other hand have now won just three Premier League away games this calendar year.

Mateta’s first half strike was the difference between the two sides, as Palace picked up their first Premier League victory of the season at the 9th attempt, beating Spurs by one goal to nil at Selhurst Park.

Ange Postecoglou’s side struggled to create chances as their woeful away record in the league continued.

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Marc Guehi led Oliver Glasner’s side brilliantly at the back, as they defended very resolutely.

The excellent Eberechi Eze thought he had doubled Palace’s lead in the second half, but he was just offside as Adam Wharton played him through.

Crystal Palace took the lead after 31 minutes thanks to Mateta’s third goal of the season as the striker bounced back into the starting XI in style.

Micky Van de Ven was sloppy on the ball at the back, which allowed Daniel Munoz to dispossess the Dutch defender, before picking out Eze in the box, who flicked the ball into the path of Mateta, who did the rest.

Minutes after Palace’s opener, Van de Ven’s shot deflected off Brennan Johnson and struck the post, but Spurs were mostly outplayed by the hosts during the first half.

The visitors struggled to create chances in the second half as Palace defended well and stay in eighth position in the league.

https://Twitter.com/CPFC/status/1850567998156816405

TALKING POINT – SPURS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE AWAY FROM HOME

Despite many plaudits for their attacking and exciting football, Postecoglou’s side’s record away from home in the Premier League is not pretty.

Spurs have won just three away games in the calendar year, with one of those victories coming against already relegated Sheffield United at the end of last season.

After the collapse at the Amex Stadium a few weeks ago, a struggling Palace side presented the perfect opportunity for Spurs to pick up an away win, but they never got going.

The former Celtic manager will need to fix this glaring issue as the season progresses for Spurs to have some success this season.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – MARC GUEHI

The England defender was excellent out there against his national teammate Dom Solanke, not given Spurs’ striker a sniff all game.

The Palace captain led by example, organising the rest of the defence and ensuring his side picked up that all-important victory.

Glasner was delighted he was able to keep hold of Guehi in the summer after lots of interest from Newcastle United and today he proved why there was that interest.

To keep a clean sheet against Spurs is not easy, but Guehi did not seem to struggle today.

PLAYER RATINGS

Crystal Palace: Henderson 9, Munoz 7, Chalobah 7, Lacroix 6, Guehi 9, Mitchell 7, Lerma 6, Wharton 8, Sarr 7, Eze 8, Mateta 8. Subs: Hughes 7, Nketiah 5.

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario 7, Porro 5 , Romero 5 , Van de Ven 3 , Udogie 4 , Bissouma 5 , Kulusevski 3, Maddison 5, Johnson 4, Solanke 4, Moore 5. Subs: Richarlison 4, Sarr 5, Werner 3.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Palace have the lead and Mateta has scored! Micky Van de Ven loses the ball to Munoz, who picks out Eze, who finds Mateta and the French forward finds the back of the net.

This game has come alive now! Van de Ven picks the ball up in the box from a corner and fires it into Brennan Johnson and the ball hits the woodwork.

Maddison thought he had scored for Spurs but Dean Henderson pulls off an incredible save to keep the midfielder out.

The Selhurst Park crowd erupt as Eze squeezes the ball under Vicario, but he is just offside. However, VAR is looking into the decision.

Palace think they should have a penalty here. Eze sits both Porro and Van de Ven down in the box with some great footwork and thinks the Dutch defender has pulled him down. The referee and VAR say no though.

KEY STAT

https://Twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1850524800260673996

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Spurs have won 15 of their previous 18 meetings with Crystal Palace, drawing two and losing one. The visitors have also won eight of their previous nine matches in all competitions.

Palace have had a slow start to the season and are currently winless in the Premier League, but they will be hoping to change that today.

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The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

Any matches that fall within the Saturday blackout window in the UK cannot be shown live. The blackout window prohibits matches being shown on television between 14:45 and 17:15 in the UK.

Ange Postecoglou makes one change from last week’s win over West Ham United, with Mikey Moore replacing club captain Son Heung-Min who misses out with muscle soreness.

Moore becomes Spurs’ second youngest player to start a Premier League match (17 years and 77 days), after Stephen Carr (17 years, 28 days) back in 1993. The 17-year-old winger was electric in the second half against AZ Alkmaar in midweek and Spurs fans are beginning to get very excited about the youngster.

Oliver Glasner makes three changes from Monday night’s defeat to Nottingham Forest, with Jean-Philippe Mateta, Ismaila Sarr and Adam Wharton coming in to replace Eddie Nketiah, Will Hughes and Daichi Kamada.

Mateta has not continued his fine form that he finished last season in and has been benched for the previous two league games, but he has been given the opportunity to prove Glasner wrong today.

Published 21/10/2024 at 06:54 GMT

Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham host AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night in north London. The Premier League side are unbeaten after two matches in the competition so far, but their opponents from the Netherlands could prove to be the toughest test for them so far. The pair will both be hoping to qualify outright for next year's knockout rounds.

'Unacceptable' - Postecoglou says Spurs 'didn't do the basics' in Brighton capitulation

Tottenham continue their 2024/25 UEFA Europa League campaign with their third 'league phase' match against AZ Alkmaar, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Ange Postecoglou’s men are yet to consistently hit the same heights they achieved under the Australian in their previous season, but the Premier League side are at home and will be the clear favourites before the match starts in north London on Thursday evening.

Tottenham currently sit in ninth place ahead of the weekend’s games, but they are still tipped by some to challenge for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Europa League 2024-2025

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AZ are third in the Eredivisie as they look to pull off a rare title run in the Netherlands league.

They won their most recent Europa match 3-2 against IF Elfsborg, but lost their opening tie against Athletic club. Tottenham, meanwhile, defeated Qarabag 3-0 at home, and triumphed in Hungary over Ferencvaros.

When is Tottenham v AZ Alkmaar?

Spurs host AZ at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, October 24.

Kick-off is at 20:00 UK time, with live coverage on TNT Sports 1 commencing at 19:45.

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How to watch Tottenham v AZ Alkmaar

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You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

To find out where your local establishments showing TNT Sports are, use our Pub Finder tool.

How to live stream the UEFA Europa League on TNT Sports

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The TNT Sports app is a sports news and results app which is free for anyone to download.

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TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024-25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

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Ruthless Spurs put four past sorry West Ham to return to winning ways

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Ange Postecoglou has been praised by the TNT Sports panel for making a “big” decision involving James Maddison during Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 victory over West Ham United on Saturday.

West Ham opened the scoring in the opening 20 minutes with Mohammed Kudus striking the visitors ahead in north London - but his goal was cancelled out by Dejan Kulusevski’s scrappy equaliser before the break.

The momentum stuck with Spurs in the second half, as it was the hosts who dealt the hammer blow to claim all three points, following a flurry of quickfire goals through Yves Bissouma, Heung-min Son and an own goal from Alphonse Areola.

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an hour ago

Tottenham looked back to their free-flowing best in the second period, without Maddison after his substitution at half-time for Pape Sarr.

After the game, Peter Crouch credited Spurs boss Postecoglou for his decision, which ultimately played a role in his side claiming what turned out to be a comfortable victory.

“It was a big call,” the former Tottenham striker said on TNT Sports. “James Maddison is a fantastic player, as we well know, but I think the balance wasn’t quite right [in the first half].

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“I think it’s better with Bissouma and Sarr in there, and maybe one of Kulusevski or Maddison. It’s difficult to get them all in.”

Another former Tottenham player, Les Ferdinand, also agreed with Postecoglou’s decision to withdraw Maddison at the break.

“It allowed Kulusevski to push further forward, knowing that you’ve still got the legs of Bissouma and Sarr in the middle of the park that can stretch forward,” Ferdinand said.

“Although West Ham defended deep, Tottenham, perhaps, didn’t move the ball quickly enough and get behind enough, so I think with just that change, Tottenham were allowed to change their shape a little bit and get further and further in behind. [Dominic] Solanke came into the game even more.

“It was a tactical change you’ve got to give him [Postecoglou] credit for, for what he did. It changed the face of how Tottenham were playing.”

Crouch: ‘Absolute superstar’ Son is a ‘manager’s dream’

'Excited' Tuchel aims to 'build' on Southgate's work as he takes over England

Spurs captain Son returned from injury with a bang to score his third goal of the season, capping off a resurgent performance with Tottenham’s fourth.

Crouch was full of praise for the Spurs player, and labelled him a “dream” player for managers.

“A manager’s dream, right?” Crouch said on TNT Sports. “Someone like that who speaks as well [as he does].

“He’s an absolute superstar as well as we can see behind us here, the amount of people [who have stayed for him]. I thought it was for me, Glenn [Hoddle] and Les, but apparently they’re for him.

“And what a player, just devastating when he gets in those positions one-on-one, you just know he’s going to score, he’s clinical.

“He’s great to have around the place, he’s got a great attitude and he plays with a smile on his face. Even speaking to him there, he makes everyone smile, the manner and the way he is.”

TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024/25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

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Watch the moment Kudus 'lost his head' by lashing out at Spurs players - 'He had to go!'

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Son Heung-Min returned with a bang as Tottenham produced a swashbuckling second-half performance to thump 10-man West Ham 4-1 in a thrilling London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The home side dominated the majority of the first half but fell behind on 18 minutes when Mohammed Kudus converted Jarrod Bowen’s cut back.

Tottenham continued to probe and deservedly pulled level prior to the break when Dejan Kulusevski’s shot hit both posts before crossing the line.

Premier League 2024-2025

Brighton roar back for thrilling win as Spurs throw away two-goal lead

Ange Postecoglou’s men turned on the after-burners following the interval with Yves Bissouma and an own goal from Jean-Clair Todibo putting them in charge with two goals in five minutes.

Son then moved the game beyond the visitors on the hour when he marked his first appearance since a three-game absence with a hamstring problem with a surging run and finish.

West Ham’s misery was compounded late on when VAR recommended an on-field review that led to Kudus receiving a straight red card for his role in an unsavoury incident involving both sets of players.

The result means Tottenham rise to sixth place, five points off the summit with the rest of the weekend’s action still to come.

West Ham are five points further back in 14th.

Next up, Tottenham host AZ in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday before visiting Crystal Palace on Sunday. West Ham are at home to Manchester United.

Talking Point – Ange gets the response he wanted as West Ham collapse

Ange Postecoglou described the surrender of a two-goal interval lead in the defeat at Brighton ahead of the international break as the worst performance in his time at the club.

The Spurs boss wanted a response here, but was left shaking his head again when The Hammers broke the deadlock to make it just one shut out in 15 Premier League derbies under his leadership.

However, Tottenham’s attack has never been a source of concern and this time his team produced an exceptional second-half display to put The Iron to the sword and banish the memory of that 45-minute collapse at The Amex Stadium.

Indeed, this was in stark contract to that second half showing as the tactical tweak to substitute James Maddison at the break worked perfectly and means Tottenham’s recent form – second half at Brighton aside – continues to suggest they are very much on the rise.

As for West Ham, the pressure will surely continue to mount on Julen Lopetegui with just two Premier League wins from eight outings despite a heavy outlay during the summer.

Player of the match

Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham). The midfielder is revelling in a more central role and took the game by the scruff of the neck to lead his team back along the comeback trail. The Swede has enjoyed an excellent season so far with TNT Sports expert Glenn Hoddle later describing the 24-year-old’s display as the best he has seen from Kulusevski in a Spurs shirt.

Player ratings

TOTTENHAM: Vicario 7, Porro 7, Romero 7, Van de Ven 7, Udogie 8, Bissouma 8, Maddison 6, Kulusevski 9, Johnson 7, Solanke 7, Son 7. Subs: Sarr 7, Werner 6, Bentancur n/a, Richarlison n/a, Gray n/a.

WEST HAM: Areola 5, Wan-Bissaka 5, Todibo 5, Kilman 6, Emerson 5, Rodriguez 5, Soucek 5, Paqueta 5, Kudus 3, Bowen 6, Antonio 6. Subs: Soler 5, Summerville 5, Alvarez 5, Mavropanos 5.

Match Highlights

Key Stats

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TNT Sports football expert Peter Crouch feels Ange Postecoglou needs to "change the mentality" at Tottenham Hotspur, but backs the Australian to end the club's 16-year-long trophy drought.

Postecoglou, in his second season in charge of the north London club, has previously said he "always wins" trophies in his second year, but has struggled in a difficult start to the Premier League season - sitting ninth ahead of Spurs' clash with West Ham United live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Saturday.

Crouch, however, feels there is a heavy "pressure" in the air around the club due to their lack of silverware in recent years, and while he feels there is enough "ability" in the squad to win a cup, he feels a shake-up in mentality is needed.

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"I don't think there's any denying the ability is there, but I think it's the mentality," Crouch said. "Once you get to that stage where everyone is talking about the trophy, the pressure grows season by season.

"The longer it goes the harder it becomes. They have to change the mentality here.

"Ange has come with a proven track record of winning trophies, he's mentioned that in his press conferences before, he just has to deliver now."

Postecoglou has established an expansive style on Spurs' game since his appointment in the summer of 2023.

Spurs' forward-thinking style has seen them display some dazzling attacking performances, but also suffer in defence.

The imbalance was evident in the north London side's 3-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion earlier in October, when they let slip a 2-0 first-half lead as the hosts notched three goals inside 18 second-half minutes.

Les Ferdinand, who appeared over 100 times for Spurs, feel the style could bear fruit in a cup competition, but will see the club struggle to maintain a steady push towards Premier League success.

"I think it [the style] can deliver a trophy," Ferdinand said. "On any given day, if you can perform in the way they performed in the first half against Brighton that could have been 4-0 or 5-0 at half time, if you can perform like that you can score enough goals to win that game.

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"So I think in any one-off game the way Tottenham perform they could win a trophy, but if you're talking about getting into that top four and staying there, that's going to be a tougher proposition."

Fellow former Spurs man Glenn Hoddle, meanwhile, feels some form of cup success would be a "stepping stone" to more sustained silverware at Spurs.

But he urged Postecoglou's side to "defend properly", saying the squad is "capable" of winning a cup but is disappointed by their lack of ability to supplement attacking quality with defensive sturdiness.

"There's a stepping stone and I think it would be a cup," Hoddle said. "What Les is saying, getting in that top four consistently, with the Premier League as tough as it is [will be difficult].

"This team is capable of winning a cup. that would be a stepping stone to maybe do something in the future. This team is good enough to do that.

"I just want to see them defend properly. In any sport, you have to defend. If [Joe] Root wants to score 100, he's got to defend properly. Snooker the same, boxing, you've got to have a defence and an attack. There's too many chances being created against them."

Spurs' last trophy came in the form of the League Cup in 2008. Now named the Carabao Cup, Spurs will have their mettle tested in the quarter-final against Manchester City on October 30.

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